Team India suffered massive blows ahead of the fourth Test of the five-match series against England in Manchester. Firstly, Arshdeep Singh, who hadn't featured in any of the first three Tests, practically got ruled out of the series as he got stitches on his hand following an injury that he sustained in the nets. If this wasn't enough, Akash Deep also picked up a groin injury according to a report by The Indian Express ahead of the crucial fourth Test.
Akash Deep has also sustained an injury
The latter was seen leaving the field mid-way through Day 4 of Lord's Test after feeling discomfort and didn't bowl at all during a net session which was held before the Indian team left for Manchester. Notably, Akash Deep had been in top form in the series so far, picking up a total of 11 scalps in the two Tests he had featured in.
The injury to Akash Deep may lead to the Men in Blue altering their plans for Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the remaining two Tests against England according to a latest report from The Times of India. Ahead of the series, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had clearly stated that Bumrah will only be featuring in three out of the five Tests in the ongoing series as the pacer needs to take care of his body. The 31-year-old had previously also suffered a serious back injury in the Border-Gavaskar series 2024/25 against Australia and got sidelined for months.
"Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep won't be playing together in the remaining two Tests. It was decided before the tour that Bumrah will only play three Tests in this series, and now with Akash's back niggle flaring up, we can't see both of them playing in the XI together. If Bumrah plays in Manchester, then Akash will sit out. At The Oval, Akash will replace Bumrah," the report in The Times of India stated.
Meanwhile,The Indian Express had also reported earlier that pacer Anshul Kamboj has been added to India's set-up following the injury to Arshdeep. According to the report, the left-arm seamer will need 10 days to fully recover, thus ruling him out of the series as the fourth match is set to commence from July 23 while the fifth and final Test is set to be contested from July 31 at The Oval in London.
With England leading the ongoing series 2-1, it is crucial for Shubman Gill & Co. to win the upcoming match at Old Trafford as any other result would see them lose all their chances of triumphing the series. On the other hand, if the Three Lions manage to come out victorious in the fourth Test, then they will go on to seal the series even before playing the fifth match.